STORY: "I have been going to the Binche carnival since I was born,” said carnival attendee Sasha Trento. ”We see that people are partying harder."

To the cheers and applause of spectators, the merrymakers toddled down the historic streets with baskets full of oranges, throwing the fruit at revelers during what UNESCO says is one of Europe's oldest surviving street carnivals.

"It's a real pleasure. We've been waiting for this for a very, very long time,” said festival attendee Damien Huart.

Catching an orange is believed to bring good luck, although a metal net was also stretched across many vitrines down the carnival's route as protection from strays that make it past would-be receivers.